Rendell: "Disaster" For Philly if State Lawmakers Can't Compromise on HB1828

Gov. Rendell just weighed in on the city's budget woes, saying he hopes the state House and Senate can compromise on the pension reforms added to House Bill 1828, legislation originally designed to provide budget relief for Philadelphia. Rendell said he was aware that the House was working on changes to the legislation and said he hopes the Senate is kept in the loop.
"Whatever the House adopts, if the Senate doesn't agree to it in advance, that's going to be a disaster for the city of Philadelphia," Rendell said.
Rendell said talk of massive layoffs and signs going up in public buildings in Philadelphia about potential closures show that the city's fallback budget is in real danger of being implemented.
"I don't think the mayor is kidding," Rendell said. "In fact, I know he's not kidding. He has no alternative."

Rendell: "Disaster" For Philly if State Lawmakers Can't Compromise on HB1828

Chris Brennan

Posted:
Thursday, September 10, 2009, 3:23 PM

Gov. Rendell just weighed in on the city's budget woes, saying he hopes the state House and Senate can compromise on the pension reforms added to House Bill 1828, legislation originally designed to provide budget relief for Philadelphia. Rendell said he was aware that the House was working on changes to the legislation and said he hopes the Senate is kept in the loop.

"Whatever the House adopts, if the Senate doesn't agree to it in advance, that's going to be a disaster for the city of Philadelphia," Rendell said.

Rendell said talk of massive layoffs and signs going up in public buildings in Philadelphia about potential closures show that the city's fallback budget is in real danger of being implemented.

"I don't think the mayor is kidding," Rendell said. "In fact, I know he's not kidding. He has no alternative."

William Bender, a Drexel graduate who landed at the Daily News in 2007, has covered everything from South Philly mobsters to doomsday hucksters. He occasionally writes about local food trucks and always eats everything on his plate, whether it be a bloody rib eye or a corrupt politician. E-mail tips to benderw@phillynews.com Follow William on Twitter

David Gambacorta, has been a reporter with the Daily News since 2005, covering crime, police corruption and all of the other bizarre things that happen in Philadelphia. Now he’s covering the 2015 mayor’s race, because he enjoys a good circus just as much as the next guy. He’s always looking to get a cup of coffee. Send news tips and other musings on life to gambacd@phillynews.com Follow David on Twitter